Buchholz allowed three hits over five innings in his first start since early June and the AL East-leading Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-0 on Tuesday night.

"A healthy Clay Buchholz is going to be a great addition," Farrell said. "He showed it tonight. To see him walk to the mound, I think it gave everybody a boost in confidence."

Buchholz (10-0), sidelined by a strained neck, hadn't pitched in the majors since beating the Los Angeles Angels on June 8.

"He looked great ... looked like he hadn't missed a day," Boston catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said. "To be able to go into a game like this after not pitching in a big-league game for that long, keep your poise and just make it look like it's any other game, it's tough to do."

Buchholz, who made three rehab starts in the minors, struck out Jose Molina with two on to end the second. He admitted that he was anxious before the game.

"It felt pretty good," Buchholz said. "A long time coming for me, so I'm definitely happy to be back out there."

Jonny Gomes and Saltalamacchia both drove in a run for the Red Sox, who extended their lead over second-place Tampa Bay to 81/2 games in the East. Craig Breslow, Junichi Tazawa and Koji Uehara finished a four-hitter.

Uehara got the final four outs for his 19th save.

Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner David Price (8-8) lost his third straight start despite giving up just two runs and three hits in eight innings. The left-hander struck out nine.

The Rays, 4-12 since August 25, are leading the race for the second AL wild-card spot.

"You can't dwell on it," Price said. "We've got 19 games left, so you go now or we won't be hanging around in October."